Pure Québec

Pristine nature and history

The French-speaking province of Québec lies in eastern Canada. Although Montreal is the province's largest city, its capital is Quebec City. With only 8 million Québécois, Canada's largest province is very sparsely populated. This leaves a lot of room for breathtaking nature. However, the province offers more than mountains, forests and thundering waterfalls. You will also find beautifully preserved historic cities and villages. We went ahead and selected some of the highlights for you.

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Quebec City

Historic capital

Quebec City is the heart of French-speaking Canada. Here, where the Saint Lawrence river narrows, explorer Samuel de Champlain founded the first permanent settlement in New France in 1608. The historic city centre with a city wall, the only one north of Mexico, is a UNESCO World heritage site. The narrow cobblestone streets with 17th century houses, old churches and lively squares exude a European charm. Make sure to visit the majestic Château Frontenac: this elegant grand hotel from 1893 offers not only luxury accommodations but also an excellent restaurant and a lovely cocktail bar with views of the river.

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Île d’Orléans

Quebec's garden

The fluvial Île d’Orléans island lies in the middle of the Saint Lawrence river, about five kilometres east of Quebec City. Known as the “Garden of Québec”, this region with rolling hills produces everything from wine to strawberries, apples, potatoes and flowers. This is the perfect holiday destination for biking, stopping at local farmers’ markets and tasting the local wines. Book your accommodations in one of the lovely bed-and-breakfasts, such as a 17th century farm.

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Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

Montmorency Falls

Towering waterfalls

The Montmorency Falls are only a fifteen minute drive from the centre of Quebec City. These 83 metre high falls are dozens of metres higher than the world famous Niagara Falls. A footpath leads to the highest point of the cliff. From the suspension bridge you can take gorgeous pictures of the thundering water.

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Jacques Cartier National Park

Nothing but nature

Jacques Cartier National Park is the perfect destination to experience Canada's pristine wilderness the way most of us picture it. The parks stretches across mountains and river valleys and is home to moose, elk, black bears and wolves. The rivers are teeming with trout and migrating salmon. You can hike to your heart’s content or explore the park from the water by kayak, canoe or wild-water raft.

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Eduardo Fonseca Arraes / Getty Images

Gaspésie

Roaming the rugged coast

The Saint Lawrence river flows from Lake Ontario through Quebec and meets the ocean in the Gaspésie: a peninsula the size of Belgium. The coast is a nature lover's dream. Go whale watching, salmon fishing, ocean kayaking or admire the magnificent rugged cliffs. The picturesque village of Percé, famous for it's arch-shaped rock formation off the coast, is the perfect starting point for exploring.

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Îles de la Madeleine

A remote outpost

The Îles de la Madeleine feel quite remote and isolated. This archipelago in the Bay of Saint Lawrence is home to around 13,000Madelinots, most of them descendants of castaways. Some of the houses here have been built with wood salvaged from those shipwrecks. In addition to white sandy beaches, red cliffs and rugged scenery, visitors also flock here to this beloved holiday destination to sample the local cuisine. Make sure to try the delicious soft cheese, pain au chocolat and smoked herring.